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The Longevity Science Panel has changed its name from Longevity Science Advisory Panel to reflect its wider role in monitoring trends, generating discussion and forming views on issues related to the UK’s population longevity trend. This includes the drivers that are enhancing life expectancy for example, medical advances and social change, as well as the inhibitors such as aspects of lifestyle and delays in development of treatments.

The Longevity Science Panel will regularly be presented with issues and papers on scientific developments for them to review and analyse to determine the implications on future UK life expectancy. The opinion of the panel will then be shared across the insurance industry, as well as with government, and public offices, where appropriate. The aim is that the panel will be a key source for learning and understanding on the implications of scientific developments on UK life expectancy.

‘We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dame Karen Dunnell as chair of the Longevity Science Advisory Panel in succession to Sir Derek Wanless who died in 2012.Dame Karen's leadership in data sources and expertise in socio-economic implications of demographic trends complement the Panel members' multi-disciplinary background. Her experience in scientific collaborations and public policy will provide invaluable insights as the Panel works toward a better understanding of human longevity trends and their implications for society.’

Sir John Pattison on behalf of the Longevity Science Panel

‘I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of Derek Wanless. I first met Derek when he was carrying out research for his reports for the Treasury on health and health care. His interest in statistics and other evidence was fundamental to this work. I got to know him better when he became a founder member of the Statistics Commission, an independent body set up to help build trust in government statistics. At the time I was a senior member of ONS and then began to see even more of him when I became the National Statistician in 2005.’

Dame Karen Dunnell

"I have a passionate interest in statistics about our society, people’s health and the services they use. For the whole of my working life I was dedicated to collecting and using statistics to inform the public, government, business, academia and the third sector. Such statistics and research keep us up to date about the health and condition of the people, help to evaluate the services available to them and to plan for the future.Current challenges that will impact on both public and private services include topics of particular interest to me such as future demographic change, the relationship between mortality and morbidity/disability, the impact of our changing lives and times on health and the impact of the changes to the NHS and our Social Care System.I am greatly looking forward to working with colleagues in Legal & General to enhance our understanding of one of the most important challenges in our society-maintaining and improving the health and wellbeing of our increasingly elderly population."